Emailing school to say child is going on holiday, do I tell them or ask them?!

[Diddumms]

I mean I know I can't really 'ask' them because it's booked but I'm struggling with the wording

I've currently got a waffley email saying

Good morning. Due to the nature of our work (we run a holiday park) school holidays aren't available to us to go abroad, so we have booked to go away next week meaning Sons name won't be in until this date. We apologise for any disruption this may cause and will ensure we do reading and some cultural experiences whilst we are away. Please let me know if you need to discuss this further"

Husband thinks I'm mad and just need to factually say "Sons name won't be in school next week as we are on holiday, he will be back on this date"

He's only in reception so not actually compulsory school age, if that changes things

I’m sure someone has already pointed this out but I’m going to say it anyway..
Being statutory school age is irrelevant. Once you have chosen to enrole your child at school then are expected to attend. The same as everyone else.
They cannot authorise absence for family holiday.
Very surprised that you’ve not had to fill in forms.

You're lucky when my children were at school they were very strict on attendance at the state school I sent them to. Schools these days will look at you and will fine a parent for each day their child misses. It doesn't matter about the amount of progress they have made or how good they are at getting their work done. Schools need to look good for Ofsted and that's all that matters.

I know you've sent it now.

But going forward a simple

"Due to availability of AL we will be taking X on holiday from x until x."

My year 5 dd will miss the last day before October half term, eldest has a teacher day. I'll just pop into the office that week and say she won't be in on the Friday, they'll ask where we're going and tell us to have a lovely time. What a lot of angst over nothing!

I'm taking my secondary school children out of school in October. I will be sending a polite email stating I am taking them out if school to go on holiday between these dates. With regards .... The end

They may well be both cultural and educational, but highly unlikely to be linked to the school curriculum she is currently studying, so makes bi difference to the school.
edited to add that this was supposed to quote and reply to the previous poster who took her child to Greece.

My previous post was in reply to this one.

What an ironic user name. Pre CSA you can send your child in when you want , miss every third Tuesday , never do Fridays, take a three week holiday. Legally it's entirely up to you. Sorry if that disappoints you.

Well… studying ancient history at gcse and looking into university courses in ancient history so most of it does indeed help.

School Attendance Officer here, go into school or email them asking for a term time absence form. Fill in and return form. No drama, you’ll get a letter back from Head saying can’t authorise but as child in under 5 and below statutory school age no fine will be issued! That’s it! X

That sounds like a totally wonderful cultural experience but unlikely to be what her peers are covering in class. So, I ask the question I always ask....are you giving your child, in your time, the lessons her peers have had? Or are you expecting her teacher, during her lunch breaks, to give her the individual lessons she has missed?

Dd3 has a 2 week October half term and is spending the first week in Isle of Wight!

I would not mention cultural activities unless it is something that is a one-off event only at a set time.

Question: Why do we need to fill in a holiday form if we’ve already emailed with the dates and the name of the child?

It changes everything. Your child does not legally need to attend school until 6 weeks post their 5th birthday, therefore, if they are not yet 5 then the school cannot fine you for the missed sessions and it will not go against attendance etc. Go and make those memories. Side note, I think your email is lovely and shows you're a considerate parent. 😊

I just write and say I’m taking them out on X dates. Response is an unauthorised absence slip with “have a nice holiday” written on it. They understand people take their kids out for various reasons and thankfully we are not in an area with fines.

You’ve already booked the holiday. So you’ve already decided you’re going.
You are politely letting them know.
Fill in the form and enjoy your holiday.

It isn’t true that you won’t be fined if they’re under 5…. Although legally you can defer them until the term after they turn 5, once they are registered and attending a school the expectation is that they attend, and they can indeed fine you.
We did ask permission throughout infants because my ex husband worked abroad so we always had a holiday when he was home (he worked 9 weeks away & 3 weeks home)… otherwise we literally only saw him 36 days a year… they always authorised it.
They are allowed to authorise absense in some circumstances.
I was also told that the first time you take more than 10 sessions off (5 days) you face a fine, but any future Unauthorised absences can then be taken further… either another fine OR they could choose to report you & you could potentially end up in court.. a teacher told me this.. maybe a teacher could clarify.

@Smartiepants79 we were told the same when our DD was year R.
Once enrolled all the rules apply.
I doubt that’s changed in the last few years!

Not sure if it the same everywhere but in Scotand teachers are striking next week for 3 days, I think they are seriously losing support and have not a single leg to stand on when they argue you are disrupting your childs education when they have not come in to work for 3 days in one week!

Not sure if it the same everywhere but in Scotand teachers are striking next week for 3 days, I think they are seriously losing support and have not a single leg to stand on when they argue you are disrupting your childs education when they have not come in to work for 3 days in one week!

It’s not teachers who are striking, it’s the school support staff, schools can’t function without them so can’t open to pupils, teachers will be working though.

Just ask reception for a holiday form, fill it out and hand it in. It's pretty simple, and most schools will allow it, when it is a matter of no other option for a holiday.

“It isn’t true that you won’t be fined if they’re under 5…. Although legally you can defer them until the term after they turn 5, once they are registered and attending a school the expectation is that they attend, and they can indeed fine you.”

^
im almost certain this in incorrect. Under what legislation or through which process would they be able to fine a parent for a school who isn’t compulsory school age? I’ve never heard of it happening.

Email school, ask for a holiday form, fill it in, send it back. Bish bash bosh. No need to make it complicated.

School policy and the law are not the same thing. You could have ignored them. It's bizarre how many parents don't spend a few minutes on google looking up legislation rather than just naively believing everything a school tells them.